Hoop Ties

Shoutout to the greatest shooter ever Steph Curry, breaking the record for the most 3’s in NBA history, and for it to happen in the greatest sports arena in the world at Madison Square Garden. Steph Curry is a G.O.A.T in his own right!

Let’s go Isaiah Thomas! Round 2 with the Lake Show. How can you not be happy for him, fresh off a 42-point debut in the G-League plus all the struggles he’s had to overcome. When it comes to putting the ball in the hoop, IT does it with the best of them. Obviously, we understand the challenges that come with a 10-day contract, but the time is now for IT.

What the Boston Celtics did to Isaiah Thomas still doesn’t sit right, but it begs the question around the organization’s culture, and how they’ve handled talented point guards like IT, Kyrie, and Kemba Walker. At the end of the day, this NBA world is a business, get your coin, because making it to the NBA is one thing and staying is another!

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Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Scoring 50+ in the regular season is standard for Kevin Durant. Ahmad starts the hot debate around the top-3 basketball players in the world, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. People are quick to say where’s Giannis, but after one NBA Finals in a “COVID Playoffs” Ahmad can’t put him in the top 3. The best player in the world conversation is about “now” not what they did before. Is there a single team in the NBA that can stop LeBron, Steph, or KD when it counts?
 
Theus reminds us to stay consistent with our agendas. People are quick to switch up based on the media. Who’s the best player of this generation and LeBron James is the most disrespected legend of all-time, especially if we are talking about resumes. We are talking about year 19, pushing 40, and still dominating. Let us remind you that he came into the league in 2003! Respect the King!

Follow The World of Five-Star https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-world-of-five-star/id1584012030

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Two time NBA Champion Norris Cole joins Theus and Ahmad on this episode, but before the guys get into his career and the back to back championship with the Miami Heat, and how Norris played every day to contribute to his team and find his place there, Theus has an important question; how does Norris feel about zone defense? We hear his thoughts on that, who’s hot in the NBA this season and why he feels the Miami Heat are the ones to watch.

Norris Cole - https://www.instagram.com/norriscole/

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Do the Cleveland Cavaliers deal Collin Sexton for Brandon Ingram, if it makes sense for both teams? Pascal Siakam may not be a number one option but he’s skilled and continues to improve every year, he could be the missing piece to a lot of contending teams. Potentially the Utah Jazz, how far does Jordan Clarkson get you and how much value do you put on talent vs continuity? Maybe Pascal Siakam should be asking for a trade?

Do the Trailblazers make a trade for Ben Simmons, and should Damian Lillard be the one who is moved out of Portland? Even if they do add Ben Simmons, is it enough to move the needle?

Finally, Ahmad proclaims that someday Anthony Edwards will be the best player in the world!

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

The Charlotte Hornets are above 500 and have a legitimate chance to be in the mix for a playoff spot or at the least, in the play-in game. LaMelo Ball is leading this team and the conversation must be had. Will he be an All-Star?

Steph Curry can silence a lot of his haters this year if he wins while showing he can shine when the situation is far from favorable. Does Collin Sexton stay and get paid or go to the New York Knicks? You’re starting a franchise, who are you selecting to lead; Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, or LaMelo Ball?

The Cleveland Cavaliers were an afterthought, and nobody had them on the radar this year. The fact is they’re balling and have become the modern-day twin towers of the East. Ahmad come out and declares Evan Mobley as the most talent player in this year’s draft!

With Kyrie gone its forced James Harden to play himself into basketball shape. He now is reverting back to Houston Rockets like usage.

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

One of the best guards in the NBA, the Knicks have removed Kemba Walker from the rotation and it’s a very sad day. Emotionally it’s tough to see but is it the fit or are other things causing Kemba’s career lows across the board? Have the Knicks done everything to implement Kemba smoothly or is his simply the scapegoat for a slow start? Coach Thibodeau is a defensive coach; history repeats itself wherever he goes, strong starts but eventually fired because his team’s lack offensive efficiency.

Do the Knicks have bigger problems? Is Julius Randle a number one option and is RJ Barrett going to take that leap or is he just a role player? Who are you taking…RJ Barrett or Cam Reddish? Is New York still a free agent destination or has it lost its lustre?

Special shoutout to DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins who just signed with the Milwaukee Bucks a special talent whose body gave up on him.

Where do the Lakers go from here, is Frank Vogel still coaching the Lakers come All-Star break? Who is the perfect coach for this Lakers team?

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Josh Smith joins Theus and Ahmad on this episode of “No Pump Fakes”. Back in 2004 going straight into the League from high school was a pretty rare thing - the guys get into what it took to make that leap and what landing at home in Atlanta for the start really meant to him and the future of his career.

Undoubtedly one of the best players to never reach the All-star team, the guys dig deep with Josh about what that process was like, and now in hindsight what went through his head each time the opportunity passed. They get real about the Western Conference Final of 2015 and the brotherhood formed on that Houston Rockets team.

How it feels being a trend starter with the dunk contest, who his top five favourite dunkers in NBA history are, and who comes out on top? Who are his up and coming guys and teams to watch; His advice for the next generation of players and how being true to yourself and having a love for the game will always put your on top.

Josh Smith: https://www.instagram.com/noigsmoove/

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Can the Phoenix Suns repeat as Western Conference Champs? 12 straight wins and fresh off the NBA Finals, why is no one talking about this team? The Suns are official! At what point do we start worrying about the Lakers, we’ve all been saying it’s early, but you can’t wait to the end of the season to turn it on so what is the cut off?
 
Would you build around Khris Middleton or Zach LaVine?
 
The Chicago Bulls look real, and Zach LaVine looks like a top-10 player in the league right now! Is it because he’s finally surrounded by other great players? Devin Booker, Zach LaVine, or Jimmy Butler? This era doesn’t care about defense, we don’t see offensive players playing defense. They’re hiding and guarding the worst player on the other team, should a Steph, Trae, and Luka play both sides of the game?
 
Cade Cunningham or Scottie Barnes? Scottie looking like a Giannis disciple already.

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

How hard is it to win an NBA Championship? Shawn Marion shares what Mark Cuban told the locker-room – “Great teams make it to the Finals, but the hot team wins the Championship.”

From playing with Jason Kidd and Steve Nash we hear about those special Suns and Mavs teams. Going under appreciated his whole career, he was one of the most versatile defenders of all time, guarding all 5 positions all game, not just in stints like many others. Whether it was matching up against Tim Duncan or KG he was always ready for the assignment. Shawn believes he should be top 75 all-time.

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/

Shawn Marion - https://www.instagram.com/matrix31/

The Washington Wizards are one of the top seeds in the East and on track to be a playoff team. Is it safe to say the Wizards came out better without Russ? Is DeMar DeRozan the most underrated star player? DeMar has fought through so much adversity in his career and is finally in a position to win with Chicago. Will he be a Hall of Famer or does he need a chip? Have people forgot about the midrange game and is it the most important shot in the game when it comes down to the clutch?

Why aren’t we judging stars consistently? AD is judged more critically than guys like Steph and Giannis. When you play for the Los Angeles Lakers it comes with heightened expectations and pressure. KD, LeBron, Kawhi, Steph, and Giannis have all won Championships as the number one option on their respective teams. Does Anthony Davis need to be the number one option on the Lakers and win a chip to be a top-5 player in the NBA?

Can Paul George win MVP? How is he not in the conversation when the likes of Rudy Gobert and DeMar DeRozan are early candidates?

Why isn’t anyone talking about Damian Lillard’s struggles and will the Wizards be a top-4 seed?

Theus McBee: https://www.instagram.com/theuselijah/

Ahmad Smith: https://www.instagram.com/akisnba_/